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Seat Swap Etiquette

24 March, 2016

The contentious issue of aircraft seat poaching is a hot topic of discussion this week. What would you do if another passenger plonked themselves into your allocated seat, in order to sit with their travel companion?

One member’s recent experience on a Singapore Airlines flight left them annoyed and frustrated. Upon boarding, this member found that a couple had presumptuously settled into their pre-selected seat. This couple then insisted – with the support of the cabin crew – that our member swap to an inferior seat. After initially refusing, our member says they were made to feel horrible.

The decision to either move, or not to move, often depends on how the other party requests the seat swap. Many members say they would be unlikely to swap if the passenger had boarded early and was already sitting in their seat. Most are also unlikely to accept an inferior seat. This is especially the case if the seat was carefully selected – sometimes even for a fee – months ago. The consensus is that anyone wanting a particular seat should organise this before boarding the plane.

However, some members do say they would consider moving if the passenger seeking their seat asked politely. They also suggest that offering a better seat to the other party would assist with any negotiations.

One member tells of a free upgrade they received following a seating mix-up! In this instance, the cabin crew decided to thank the member for their cooperation.